TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, 1 June 1910, Page 54

TALK OF THE DAY.

By Sentinel

A NOTABLE COLT.

The Canrobert colt who was purchased last week by Mr W. T. Hazlett has joined J. Ruttlcdge's stable at Wingatui. The writer had the privilege of inspecting, the youngster in his box a couple of s ago. and found him to be a well-g: ivown, with two white hind pasterns t . ... a star and snip on the face. He stands 15.2 in front, but at a guess goes fully another inch behind. He has a nice rein and 1 shoulders, and a good middle piece, whilst his height behind gives him the appearance of having splendid propelling power. The top piece is carried on a fine set of legs and feet, and, taken all round, the colt fills the eye very favourably At present he is sporting a winter coat, and consequently does not look so attractive as others bred and housed in the warmer north. No doubt he will grow up a bit in front of the saddle, and! when carrying a racing polish, together with more development, lie should at least look like a winner. The colt is a shade light in condition just at present, or rather much lighter than one usually finds a rising two-year-old at this time of the year. He was handled in January, and it is said shapes promisingly on the track. His purchase price is notable for the fact that it is tho highest price ever paid for a youngster in Southland, but that, no doubt, is prneipally owing to that part of the world being considerably behind the rest of the Dominion in breeding thoroughbred stock. In the last few years, however, a fanamount of progress has been made, and it only requires one or two good horses to be raised in the south to give breeding a boost along. Canrobert, the sire of the colt, was never raced, and was got by_ Soult f Ipm Hotcherina, by Hotchkiss, and thus is a member of the Yatterina family. He is a short-pedigreed horse, but comes of a racing family which claims some good winners. Canrobert is a brother to Marshal Soult, Aimee Soult, and Aorina. St. Bridget, the dam of Darlingdale, was got by St. Andrew (brother to Clanranald) from Martyr, by Daniel O'Rourke from Raupo, the dam of M-ata. Raupo in the early issue of the Stud Book is given as a member of the Woodstock family, and the colt would thus be short-pedigreed on both sides of ■: house, but owing to Mr R. H. Slupwith v - oir Bedevere") it has been discovered she is a descendant of Waimea (No. 18). The Messrs Hazlett have imported several horses from Australia since Vladimir carried their colours, but none of them were much good; in fact, in cases worthless for racing purposes, and possibly they aave something nearer home that may make up for previous disappointments.

THE DUNEDIN WINTER MEETING. The Dunedin Jockey Club's winter meeting bears every indication of being the best gathering ever held at Wingatui at this period of the year, and if favourable weather is on hand both a sporting and financial success seems assured. The course is much firmer and better going obtainable than is usually the case at our winter- meetings, as the recent rains have had the effect of'improving the going rather than making it heavy- But whilst the mam track is in nice order for flat racing, it is also soft enough for the horses that are to show sport between the flags. The enclosures are also in excellent order and perfectly dry underfoot, so that if Jupiter Pluvius delays asserting himself for a clay or two we should wind up oui local racing season in a pleasing' manner. The excellent acceptances which have been received for the first ray's card have naturally resulted in enhancing the interest taken in the fixture, and one can hear the sports speaking of "our National meeting." So much so is this the case that the Otago Steeplechase is exciting quite as much interest as the Birthday Handicap. From inquiries made at the track it is no* likely that more than one or two will be missing from the field of 15 at present engaged, and the prospects of an interesting race are indeed very good. It is to be hoped that the club will take steps to keep spectators who are anxious to get a close view of the jumping on the far side of the obstacles, and not allow them to exclude the view of those remaining in the enclosure. This was particularly noticeable in connection with the water jump in last year's race, and as this is one of the most interesting " leps" on the course it is to be hoped that spectators will not selfishly stand on the course, and right in the line of vision from the stands, but get on the railway side of the obstacle. Alhthose that figure in the Birthday Handicap are likely to be seen at the post, as with the exception of St. Aida.n and Grand Slam the field is at present at Wingatui, whilst the remaining paii are expected to put in an appearance. Cute is the only one to arrive of those engaged in the Tradesmen's Handicap, and as she is regarded as a certain starter good fields seem assured for the principal events. The rest of the card has also attracted liberal patronage from horse-owners, and patrons of Wingatui should, witness seme interesting sport. The first race is timed for 12.30, and a suitable train service is advertised to run to the course. i WINGATUJ NOTES. The weather was rather wintry at Wingatui yesterday, but the sun struggled into evidence during the morning and matters were not altogether unpleasant. A visit to the course makes it obvious that Wingatui has not received such a copious rainfall as that which has recently fallen in the city. The track is fairly firm, and should provide excellent going if the weather on hand for the next day or two does not make moisture its principal feature. Work commenced about 8 a.m., and the first out were Octave and Lady De Vera, who both were allotted useful "tasks on the course proper, where nearly all the business was transacted. Waiju was travelling better than Royal Step at the end of seven furlongs, left behind in lmin 38 2-ssec, and Gapon and' Pinal finished together at the end of six furlongs in lmin 24 l-ssec. Tikitere and Cronstadt broke away before reaching the mile post and ran out eight furlongs in lmin 56sec. The first named finished a. couple of lengths in front of her stable companion, but there did not appear to be much between them in the matter of weight. Paragon, solus, was ridden out to go a mile in lmin 54sec, and finished strongly. Inchbonny and Eaglestone went out to go half a mile, but the latter's saddle slipped, and this left the former to finish alone in S7sec. Sarsfield ran down half a mile in 56. see, and Sharpshooter occupied a tick longer over the same ground, but was moving much .battar

than the Southland horse. Stratagem cantered a couple of circuits, and Genius appeared to be outstaying All Guns at the end of six furlongs, which they left behind in lmin 26 2-ssec without being ridden ou.t. Officious finished in front of Glenfield, Counte Witte, and Silkweb at the end of five furlongs in lmin Usee, but the lastnamed finished under a pull and apparently could have been master of the situation. Astrakhan went twice round at half pace, and Outlandev and Dabchick also sot through lenient task? Tawhaki and Pure Gokkcantered twice round and sprinted up the straight each time. Royal Shell went over the schooling hurdles and shaped well, and Balaclava ran down a solid seven furlongs. Speculate and Coy galloped a mile and a-quarter, in which the former acted as pacemaker, and ran out the ;ourney in 2rnin 24sec; last six furlongs in lmin 29soe. Coy was cased off at the finish. Miss Dorie and Mamillus ran down half a mile in a shade over 54sec, and amongst others noticed doing useful work were Ironwood, Shillelagh, Fisticuffs, Armamento, Honest Tom, Gold Dredge, Queen of Spades, Shindy. The Gunner, Czar Kolohol, Southern Cross, Takely, Freak, Whatakura, Bay Lunin, Gunboat, Obsono, Ngawcra, Antony. Jack Ashore, Linda, Rifle Range, Hukarere, Invincible, Lady Ranald, and one or two others. St. Kooringa was sent about three times round over the schooling fences, and jumped well. None of the Mosgiel Park contingent put in an appearance, but it is understood the tracks there are fairly busy during the morning. THE NORTH OTAGO J.C. MEETING. The North Otago Jockey Club were favoured with excellent weather for their winter meeting, but despite that alluring fact, and also that the card promised to provide seme excellent sport, the attendance, although fairly good, \vas not quite up to expectations. Several wjsll-known. frequenters of Oamaru meetings were conspicuous by absence. Mr St. J. M. Buckley, the president of the club, was unable to> be present through illness, but it is pleasing to record that he is almost restored to his usual health. Since th 3 spring meeting several improvements have been made on the course. A new luncheon room, built of Oamaru stone, has beeni erecttd, and the structure, is is understood, is the gift of the (president. The saddling paddock and birdcage have been enlarged, and one or two other alterations effected. The track was much firmer than one would expect to find it at the back end of the year, and some of the gallops read fairly fast, the absence of wind and the going no doubt materially helping to bring up good time, as the track is not fast over short courses, as the run in is a good deal on the rise. Throughout the meeting the sport was really first class, and, in fact, one could not wish to see better racing, particularly if one was a punter and tho money travelling the rifht way. Even if a loser one would require to have been a poor sport if the racing did not provide some solace for a depleted bank roll. There is, however, an exception to be> made l , and that is oa the ipart of the punters who backed one or two doubtfully - ridden horses. But that adds to the zest of racing, although it must be said the sport would be benefited if it gave some people a \acation. It is seldom two dead heats take place at the same meeting, but this occurred at Oamaru, and close finishes were quite common. Backers were' somewhat diffident about making a favourite in the Oamaru Cup, but at the rise of the barrier My Lawyer held the honour, whilst in the order named came Paragon, Silkweb, Oiyoi, Genius, Tikitere, and St. Aidan. Rose Nobie, White. Cockade, and Lovelorn were the outsiders of the party. It was generally expected that Oiyoi would be made favourite, but punters did not seem particularly keen on his chance, although he was a favourite selection in doubles prior to the horses weighing out for the race. It was a solid-run race, and Oiyoi and St. Aidan were at the tail of the field' after a couple of furlongs had been traversed. The first-named never looked very dangerous afterwards, but St. Aidan closed up fourth by racing (past the ruck in the straight. Genius and Cronstadt. were both travelling well going along the back, but they got bad passages, and were knocked back Silkweb and My Lawyer made the pace solid, and they were joined by Tikitere at the businesi end of the journey. The linland mare outstayed the others, and drew out in the Last 50yds to win by hajf a length from My Lawyer, who beat. Silkweb a head for second place. After being so far out of the race with half a mile to go, it was .. bit astonishinp- to find St. Aida.n running into fourth place, three lengths away from the placed horses, and then, in the order named, came Cronstadt and Paragon. The disappointment of the race was Oiyoi, who must have been seven or eight lengths away from the leaders with less than half a mile to go. The first half was run in 51sec, so that the gelding's form was by no. means brilliant. When looking him over after the race, Oiyoi did not present quite the attractive appearance he has previously shown this season. He did not appear to be so fit and well as he has been, and it was obvious that he did not run up to form, as he appeared to have the Timaru Cup won ait a nwle, although Tikitere subsequently made a stead heat of it, whilst here Tikitere was a winner and Oiyoi right cut of it. Both Cronstadt and Genius would have been, much more dangerousif they had obtained clear passages. St. Aidan looked fa* too big, and was in more of a hunting than a racing condition. Still, he ran a good race, and would have been closer if made mora use of in th« earlier stages. Paragon ran a fair race, and so did Rose Noble, although the going was against him. Lovelorn -was fairly handy to the leaders at the distance, but she faded out, and so did White Cockade. Oiyoi, Tikitere, and Rose Noble declined to face the music on the second day, but a new-corner in Waiju, who won on the previous day, was included in the field which paraded for the Victoria Handicap. It was a closs betting race, and on the totalisator Waiju was finally made a £1 better favourite than My Lawyer, whilst Silkweb, Genius, and Cronstadt all received good support. Waiju hung fire a., trifle at the rise of the barrier, and Silkweb and My Lawj'er again set out to split the atmosphere for the balance of the held. St. Aidan began well, and continued with the first-named pair for a few strides, but he then, dropped out- apparently through his rider failing- to. urge his mount to keep his place. Inside the distance Silkweb and My Lawyer were still in front, but once the former's rider lifted his whip the horse appeared to tfo slower, imd the

son of Blackstone t - v out and won, a nice race by close on ;ngth from Paragon, who beat Silkweb ead for second place. St. Aidan put in. «. run in the straight, and, squeezing between Paragon and Silkweb, had his head on their girths as they raced past the post. Neither Oronstad* nor Genius ran quite so.well as on the previous day, but the first day's gallop had evidently worked improvement in the Dunociin. horse. Waiju ran disappointingly after his winning form, and was never up close enough to look like a winner. If St. Aidan had been capable of holding a good position in the early stages, ha must have been far more dangerous, as he again made up a good deal of ground! in the last half-mile, and was another who had evidently been improved by his first day's gallop. In fact, if St. Aidan is kept up to the collar, he should soon made amends for his recent defeats. Cute was made a particularly strong order for the Stewards Handicap, which formed the .chief sprint event of the day, as she carried more than twice that of any other horse on the machine. She, however, found trouble in All Guns, who was leading at the distance, and shook off the mare's challenge in good style—showing more determination than in some of his races. Balaclava arrived on the scene with a very fast run when the race was practically over, and beat Obsono and Gapon out of a place. Octave and Officious were slow off the marls:, and the former showed a, good turn of speed in running up to the leaders, but the effort to get there settled her completely. On the second day Obsono ran out his race ir. better style, and won by a length from Rock Ferry, who gained second place through Octavo being allowed to run wide in the last furlon°-

ASHBTJRTON TROTTING MEETING. The Ashburton Trotting Club have issued an attractive programme for their winter meeting, which is dated for June 16 and 17. The chief event on the first dav is the Long beach Handicap (harness), of lOOsovs (5.5 or better), two miles; and on the second day the Ashburton Trotting Club Handicap, of lOOsovs (smin or better, harness), two miles, forms the chief item on the card. Other events are as follows: Introductory Handicap (optional), of 30sovs, one mile and a-half; Wakanui Handicap (optional), of 55sovs, two miles; First Amateur Handicap (-optional), of 25sovs, one mile and a-half; Lagmhor Handicap (saddle), of 65sovs (3.57 or better), one mile and a-half; Allenton Handicap (harness), of 55sovs, one mile and a-half f4min or better); Telegraph Handicap (optional), of 50sovs, one mile; Advance Handicap (optional), of SOsovs, one mile and a-half; Mitcham Handicap (optional), of 61sovs, two_ miles; Second Amateur Handicap (optional), of 25sovs, one mile and a-half"; Autumn Handicap (saddle), of 70sovs, one mile and a-half (3.54 or better); Stewards' Handicap, of QOsovs, one mile and a-quarter (3min or better); and Farewell Handicap, of s(teov3, one mile. Nominations are due on Saturday, June 4. A PROMISING TEAM. An esteemed correspondent who recentlyhad the privilege of inspecting the Hen. J. D. Ormond's horses in training writes as follows: —"Wad-dell's team at present are ail by Birkenhead, with the exception o£ Sir Tristram and Faunus. The former ia by Sir Lancelot, the latter by The Officer. The aged horses are Bollin, Contendent, Woodhey, Audax, Oxtoh, Liguer—the three latter jumpers. The three-year-olds consist of Idealism, Dreadless, Ortygier, Elfish, and Xylophone, who, I fear, w'ill never stand a preparation. The two-year-olds are Formby, Birkdale, Morcambe, Humming Bird (all-of which have raced); then two brown fillies—one Kibhara out of Guitar, a great slashingfilly. I fancy she has caused her train€<r a. lot of trouble with her joints, but it ia truly marvellous what Waddell can do with bad-legged horses. The last is as fine a specimen as I ever looked over—Falsetto, out of Trentalto, a great raking dark bay or brown, with three white feet and strip down face, good leg's and feet, standing, over heaps of ground, big quarters well let down, a good middle piece, well ribbed up, superb shoulders and rein, and brimful of quality at every point. To my inquiry, 'How have you not produced this one, Stewart?' he replied, 'Her dam nas disappointed us so often that this one may be no exception.' All I can say is I will have to see before I can believe this magnificent filly can't gallop fast and go on, like the brook, for ever. The yearlings broken in are:—Gelding out of Links, a well-grown, bay. standing over plenty of ground, but a.bit .short on. top of his quarters; a colt, a full brother to Mischief, the Queensland: crack. I pass this one over with the remark, 'He may be good ; if so he does not look it.' Both these are in the stable. In a little paddock are a batch of four being ridden daily. One smart bay gelding, a bit rough in the hocks is a brother to Audax A small bay gelding with white star, a brother to Formbv, does not resemble the latter at all. Had he the la.tter's hind legs he would then be very near a good-looking horse. A full sister to Dawn is a very fine, strong filly, and a big raking gelding out of Witchet is a real Rood sort. I should take this chap, the Links, and Audax's. brother out of which to find the best. And! thev are a very fine, well-grown Jot, but sadly disgured by having their tails eaten last winter. There are three other yearlings running out unbroken —a gelding by Gold Reef, a gelding out of Enna, and art all-bay filly out of Outer. This last pairclaim Birkenhead as sire, and both are good, useful sorts. In a plantation there was the well-known Wirral, who_ is being, hacked about before being pitt into work again. Along with Wirral was a brown gelding, Napp-or, out of Snooze' —a great, strong, even-made horse (will make a bun-; ter for someone). And then there was just broken in a sister to Audax, two years off: a filiy out of Witchet, same age; and a filly out of same' mare, three_ years off. All three arc in the rough and being ridden, but run out with covers on them. Derelict and Sakme are turned out. and Nogi is sold) to the Gra.v brothers, jockeys, of Hastings'. I believe there are two very fin© fillies at Greenmeadows. out of Linette and Dread.nut, and a gcldins out nf Elflark getting ready; also two geldings a year ol«rer out or l Agency and HippoJite. Certainly your old friend has a very large team under hdsi rare, and he often laments that Dunedmj is not one of his visiting grounds. I trust he and his re.snected em plover may be longi spared, a,nd that it rnav be my privilege to send you some further notes on. tb* r stock by Hymettus."